Verlander Gears Up for Saturday Bullpen, Garcia Progresses in Recovery

Houston Astros' ace Justin Verlander is scheduled for another bullpen session on Saturday as he works his way back from neck discomfort, while teammate Luis Garcia continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Justin Verlander, the 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner for the Houston Astros, is poised to participate in another bullpen session on Saturday as he strives to overcome the neck discomfort that has sidelined him for a month. Astros manager Joe Espada confirmed that both Verlander and Luis Garcia are slated to throw before the second game of the series against the Seattle Mariners.

Since suffering the injury on June 9, Verlander has missed several starts and is anticipated to throw approximately 25 pitches during this bullpen session. Espada expressed optimism that Verlander will elevate the intensity of his throws compared to his previous outing.

"Last time he threw his side, he threw all of his pitches, so hopefully there will be more intensity behind these pitches," Espada remarked.

Verlander has compiled a 3-2 record with a 3.95 ERA in 10 starts for Houston this season. Prior to his debut on April 19, he missed the initial 20 games due to inflammation in his right shoulder.

Luis Garcia, who underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2023, is also making strides in his recovery. Despite missing a scheduled bullpen session last week, Espada emphasized that this should not be interpreted as a setback.

Outfielder Kyle Tucker is also progressing in his recovery from a right shin contusion. He has engaged in throwing, hitting, and limited field drills, but requires further improvement in his mobility before being fully cleared.

"We need to get him running, to put some weight on that leg. He's hitting, he's throwing, but we're not quite there yet to let him loose on the bases," Espada stated.

Meanwhile, catcher Victor Caratini has been transferred to Double-A Corpus Christi for his rehab assignment from a hip flexor strain. His return to the Astros is anticipated early next week.

Lance McCullers Jr., who is dealing with a right elbow issue, has received a second opinion indicating no structural damage. However, he has not yet been authorized to resume throwing.

The Astros will be closely monitoring the progress of these key players as they navigate the remainder of the regular season. Verlander's return to full fitness would be a significant boost, while Garcia, Tucker, and Caratini's recoveries will provide depth and versatility to the team.